Bunzi(alsoMpulu BunziandPhulu Bunzi) is a serpentwater spiritand goddess of rain intraditional Kongo religionthat was first venerated by the Woyo people of theKingdom of Ngoyo.[1]
| Bunzi | |
|---|---|
| Venerated in | Kongo religion |
| Symbol | Water•Rainbow |
| Region | Democratic Republic of the CongoRepublic of the Congo |
| Ethnic group | Bantu peoples |
| Genealogy | |
| Dynasty | Kingdom of Ngoyo•Kingdom of Kongo |
Appearance
editBunzi is sometimes depicted as a multicolored serpent that rewards those who worship her with an abundant harvest.[2]She also said to appear in the rippling water of the river at sunset.[3]
Beliefs
editAccording toKongooral tradition, Bunzi is the daughter of Mboze, the Great Mother and wife of Kuitikuiti. Bunzi is sometimes depicted as a multicolored serpent, and rewards those who worship her with an abundant harvest.[2]When Mboze gave birth, Bunzi was born in the form of a baby serpent. Upon seeing the child, Mboze's husband Kuitikuiti knew that she had been unfaithful to him. When he learned the biological father of Bunzi was their son Makanga, he killed Mboze for her transgression. Bunzi took on her mother's rain-bringing power.[1]According to legend, when arainbowappears in the sky, that is Bunzi.[4]
TheYombe peopleof theRepublic of the Congorefer to Bunzi asPhulu Bunziand consider the spirit to be a male lord of the water. He is said to have devised a pact betweenNzazi (the god of thunder) andMbumba(the rainbow water serpent) to create harmony between the earth and the skies. One day while he was visiting Mbumba, his son died. Consequently, Phulu Bunzi blamed Mbumba and cut his head off.[1]
Legacy
editThe Bunzi Mons, amountain on Venus,is named after her.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcScheub, Harold (2000).A Dictionary of African Mythology: The Mythmaker as Storyteller.Oxford University Press. pp. 34, 92.ISBN978-0-19-512456-9.
- ^abAuset, Brandi (2009).The Goddess Guide: Exploring the Attributes and Correspondences of the Divine Feminine.Llewellyn Worldwide. p. 40.ISBN9780738715513.
- ^Leeming, David Adams (1996).Goddess: Myths of the Female Divine.Oxford University Press. pp. 97–98.ISBN9780195104622.
- ^Lynch, Patricia Ann (2004).African Mythology A to Z.Infobase Publishing. p. 20.ISBN9781438119885.
- ^"Bunzi Mons".Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.